+1 to low factory fluid fills

[Toymaster]

Build month was 10/25, trans was a quart low (that is 20% of the capacity) as well as all gear boxes.

Did an oil, RDU, PTU change and topped off the trans. Happy coincidence, this 2.5L uses the same oil filter as my '08 Jeep JK, so had some on hand.

Add mine to the units that were not filled up at the factory. Made October '25. Not saying the lower levels would hurt anything but anytime you lessen the amount of oil each quantity of oil has to work harder and therefore shortens its service life. The trans was a full quart low. The magnets on the gear boxes were full @1200 miles, this means they could no longer do their job.

I took delivery of the car with 180 miles on it, had them do an oil change before I saw it since they offer three free and knew I'd never use those services. This weekend's service was at ~1200 miles. I'll do oil changes every 5K along with gear oil changes till the magnets are clean at a change, then will probably do 10K intervals on oil and 20K on the gear oil from then on since I do so many highway miles. I'm sure 30K on the gear oil would be fine but they hold really small amounts of oil, so why not. I use Amsoil products.

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[Cancunbadlands]

Amsoil products are top tier

 

[Tim d]

Build month was 10/25, trans was a quart low (that is 20% of the capacity) as well as all gear boxes.

Did an oil, RDU, PTU change and topped off the trans. Happy coincidence, this 2.5L uses the same oil filter as my '08 Jeep JK, so had some on hand.

Add mine to the units that were not filled up at the factory. Made October '25. Not saying the lower levels would hurt anything but anytime you lessen the amount of oil each quantity of oil has to work harder and therefore shortens its service life. The trans was a full quart low. The magnets on the gear boxes were full @1200 miles, this means they could no longer do their job.

I took delivery of the car with 180 miles on it, had them do an oil change before I saw it since they offer three free and knew I'd never use those services. This weekend's service was at ~1200 miles. I'll do oil changes every 5K along with gear oil changes till the magnets are clean at a change, then will probably do 10K intervals on oil and 20K on the gear oil from then on since I do so many highway miles. I'm sure 30K on the gear oil would be fine but they hold really small amounts of oil, so why not. I use Amsoil products.

 

[Tim d]

This screenshot is from a Ford research and development employee. Change your RDU fluid at 150,000 miles per fords recommendation and save your money.

 

[Toymaster]

This screenshot is from a Ford research and development employee. Change your RDU fluid at 150,000 miles per fords recommendation and save your money.

The cost of gear oil is ~$17 a qt for top-shelf, so less than $10 worth of oil each change for a ~$800 unit. Thanks but no thanks.

Oh and chances are I have more experience and education than that person who works for ford and is looking out for the company's best interest, not yours. My interests lay in what cost me money. You do you boo.

 

[Tim d]

The cost of gear oil is ~$17 a qt for top-shelf, so less than $10 worth of oil each change for a ~$800 unit. Thanks but no thanks.

Oh and chances are I have more experience and education than that person who works for ford and is looking out for the company's best interest, not yours. My interests lay in what cost me money. You do you boo.

Fair enough! Just trying to help

 

[ListedGuru]

So the question is why are these being underfilled coming from the factory? Is this just a cost cutting measure to save a few $ per unit or just employees not doing their job correctly?

 

[Toymaster]

So the question is why are these being underfilled coming from the factory? .....

My guess it is to lower friction and therefore increase MPG and at the same time save costs. However, it could just be the machines used to fill the components are miscalibrated.

I mean at the factory they know exactly how much they have added to the dry unit, in the field there could easily be a mistake and drastically underfill. With the oil dripping out the fill plug it leaves no doubt.

 

[Toymaster]

Just did my third oil change and second change on the PTU and RDU @ 4400 miles.

Good news first, the PTU was fine, just a little smear of metal on the magnet, used about 12oz. for the change. The not so good news,,,, the RDU mag was covered, but not built up, and oil had grey tint. I use Amsoil that is clear. For the RDU 16oz was measured being drained. So one quart does a change for both units. Looks like I'll be changing a few more times before I get into longer intervals.

For those that DIY their own, there is no excuse, change that gear oil !

 

[skinnyboy]

Young woman in the service department at the local dealer mentioned (unprompted) that Escape rear diffs. seem to be problematic, even under warranty distances.

Oil and grease is cheap parts.

Cheers.

 

[Manning]

The rear diff in my lobo took a few ounces to top off, but the front diff was quite low. Took a solid pint to top off. Haven't done the trans yet.

 

[Toymaster]

The rear diff in my lobo took a few ounces to top off, but the front diff was quite low. Took a solid pint to top off. Haven't done the trans yet.

You may want to double check something, the capcity is 12oz., There are 16oz in a pint.

 

[Manning]

?

There are two diffs.

A front diff. Or whatever ford calls it. This one took a pint.

A rear diff. This one took a just few ounces.

I have no idea what the actual capacities of each of the two diffs are.

I just know what it took to make the oil dribble out of the fill hole.

 

[Toymaster]

?
.......

I have no idea what the actual capacities of each of the two diffs are.

I just know what it took to make the oil dribble out of the fill hole.

I have the video starting at where he points to the drain and fill of the PTU.

 

[Manning]

OK, went and looked at the big syringe from Harbor Freight I used to put oil in, and it holds 7 oz, not 17. Not sure why I thought it was 17 oz.

It took nearly one full syringe full of oil to fill the front diff. So around 6 oz.

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